Vandalism, theft of signs is a crime

A Donald Trump billboard, posted on the westbound side of US 70 between Mesa Grande Avenue and Sonoma Ranch Boulevard and shown here on Monday, Sept. 26, 2016, is defaced with graffiti.(Photo: Robin Zielinski / Sun-News)Buy Photo

Every election period brings with it petty theft and vandalism committed by those whose only contribution to the political debate is to steal or deface yard signs supporting candidates they don’t like. But, as with so many things this election, that, too, has been taken to a different scale.

Michael Balogh, a 21-year-old New Mexico State University student, was caught defacing a billboard supporting Donald Trump. He later admitted to painting “fascist” and “corrupt” in red paint, but denied responsibility for other messages left in black paint on the sign.

In a column explaining his actions Sunday, Balogh describes the billboard as “a symbol of intimidation in our community.” To be clear, here is what the billboard actually says: “Trump … Pence … Make America Great Again … 2016.” That’s it. So now the mere mention of the candidates’ names is a “symbol of intimidation”? If so, won’t we have to change the ballots? After all, Trump and Pence are right there at the top, intimidating voters like Balogh.

Las Cruces police have said that, thus far, no criminal charges have been filed in the case because they cannot locate a victim. We can certainly understand why the billboard company would be reluctant to come forward, but we believe this establishes a bad precedent. The Trump billboard vandalized by Balogh was not the only one locally to be defaced. And, if Balogh is being truthful, he was not the only one to vandalize that sign.

He was, however, the only one to be caught red-spraypaint handed by sheriff’s deputies at 2:10 a.m.

We accept that he was earnestly lashing out against what he believes to be a racist political campaign, and that should be taken into consideration within the legal process. But there needs to be a legal process.

As frustrating as this campaign has been at times, it must be conducted within the bounds of the law. If this crime, which has now been made public, goes completely unpunished, that would certainly be an invitation for others to do the same. If indignation and outrage at the political process are now justification for property crimes, then nobody’s property is safe.

In his Sunday commentary, Balogh cites the familiar laments of young adults dissatisfied with the world they will be inheriting. And admittedly, for those who will be voting for the first time this year, this election hasn’t exactly been a wellspring of inspiration.

But one of those old, stogy traditions that he and others his age will be inheriting is the First Amendment. It, too, is frustrating. It prevents government from silencing even the most vile of viewpoints. But, we have found that, over the years, it has served us well. When everyone has a chance to be heard, the best argument usually wins.

Stealing yard signs or defacing billboards does not advance any worthy cause. In fact, it goes against the very nature of our democratic process that says everybody has a chance to express their opinion. We encourage law enforcement to do everything within their power to prevent and punish these crimes.